Can a scripted "widget" be converted to a Class?

gzmorgan0

This discussion and the enclosed scripts were instigated by:

• Wish List item Text-Edit-Box -AutoCompleter-List posted on 2/26/2019  posted by @vince_faller, and
• the JMP Script Index search filter.

I voted for Vince's wish for a TextEditBox autocompleter since it was similar to my "wish" for a built-in ListBox filter. I had programmed specific UI's (dialogs/windows) achieving similar functionality for both items. However, I decided to try creating a function to automatically build these "widgets", and once successful, determine if a Class can be defined to take the place of a function.

 

There are 3 scripts attached:

• TEB_LB_Widget.jsl - This script defines supporting functions and two main functions to build these widgets: MakeLBFilter() and MakeTEBSelector().
• TestMakeLBFilter.jsl - This script includes the script above (you will need to change the path to the location of that script), then builds a simple window with two different list boxes, then creates a listbox filter for each. Note the script has wait statements, just for demonstration.  There are several test case at the bottom of the script. (Code snippet and display shown below.)
• TestTEBSelector.jsl - This is similar to script 2. Check the indcluded path.  This widget is less developed.

Both widgets could have additional features added, but I decided to pursuit the question of whether each widget and its features can be created as instances of a user defined Class.

 

I read the discussion Object Oriented JSL Examples 8/18/2016.  The syntax still has not "clicked" with me, and I am looking for direction on:

1. Can a JMP class be used to define an object widget? In this case, the class needs an existing object ( and likely its container) and a function to add a new object, and in each case a list.
2. If yes, a class is a better way to go, and someone has a simple example or a link to documentation other than that included in the 2016 link, I would appreciate it. Then I'll pursuit the conversion.  I am adding names, from the 2016 discussion:  @drewfoglia , @Phil_Brown, @msharp  

@vince_faller , I agree with your wish list, a built-in would be best. However, it would be nice to know how to prototype new examples.

 

 

Names Default to Here(1);

Include("C:\temp\TEB_LB_Widget.jsl");

myList1 = {"cat", "dog", "head", "cow", "heel", "help"};
dt = Open("$sample_data/semiconductor capability.jmp",Invisible);
myList2 = dt << get column names("Continuous", "string");

nw = New Window( "Example ListBox Filter",
 HListBox( 
 VlistBox(
   lb1 = ListBox(mylist1,
    <<set size(100,200),
 	<<set auto stretching( 1, 1 ),
	<<set min size( 5, 20 ),
	<<set max size( 100000, 10000 )
   )), //end lb1, VListBox
   SpacerBox(Size(50,10)),
   VListBox(
    lb2 = ListBox(mylist2,
      <<set size(200, 200),
 	  <<set auto stretching( 1, 1 ),
	  <<set min size( 5, 20 ),
	  <<set max size( 100000, 10000 )
   ) ),//end lb2 VListBox
   SpacerBox(Size(20,10) ),

 ) //end HListBox
);

wait(2);
lb_filt1 = MakeLBFilter(lb1);

wait(5);

lb_filt2 = MakeLBFilter(lb2);

No text - full list displayedLeft uses "Contains", right uses "Starts With"

 

 

 

TestMakeLBFilter.jsl

TestTEBSelector.jsl

TEB_LB_Widget.jsl

vince_faller

So I still think the classes need some work. Subclassing/inheriting seems to be a bit wonky. There's no native self reference in the class so methods using display boxes can't have their functions use anything of the class attributes. But there are work arounds to the things that @Justin_Chilton showed here. Based on that I made Autocompleter. 

But I've also made it functionally using completer_box.jsl.  And according to this, special namespaces will allow namespace calls so I made it with context box as well.  Personally right now, I like the context box method the best for this.  

Autocompleter.jsl

completer_box.jsl

completer_with_context_box.jsl